Every time Liverpool have had an encouraging win this season, a painful defeat has followed shortly thereafter. Ahead of the Champions League game with Ajax, Virgil van Dijk is hoping to finally fall back on a consistent line.

On October 16, Liverpool cleverly beat Manchester City. The leak appeared above. But things went terribly wrong again a week later visiting the Premier League final number at Nottingham Forest where they lost 1-0.

And that’s how it was at Liverpool all season. Jürgen Klopp’s team missed a lot of points, especially in away games. At the press conference for the game against Ajax in a room in the Johan Cruijff Arena, Van Dijk looks for an explanation. “We are still looking for the stability from before. That is not easy. We need games and fit players.”

And the latter has been missing at Liverpool this season. Top players eliminated at key moments. Last week Thiago Alcántara, the midfield director, was injured. He’s not at Ajax.

Because Liverpool also lost an absolute stronghold in the summer with Sadio Mane, The Reds sometimes improvise. Inexperienced players such as Fábio Carvalho, Harvey Elliot and Curtis Jones started against Nottingham Forest.

With his experience, Van Van Dijk is said to be a beacon of calm. “I do everything to consistently perform,” he says. “I play a lot of matches and it probably won’t get any less. I try to find a constant line, hold it and enjoy it. The latter is quickly forgotten when things are a little slower.”

Van Dijk saw RKC-Ajax

Liverpool are struggling this season, but it’s no different with opponents Ajax. This has not escaped Van Dijk. “They played very good matches, but I’ve also seen duels where they were vulnerable. For example, in the first half against RKC, they missed a lot of chances.”

But the form can change quickly, also knows Van Dijk, who knows the atmosphere in the Johan Cruijff Arena on European nights. “Ajax are a fantastic club in terms of history, style of play and players. And I know what it can be like here on a Champions League night. We have to show that intensity too.”

A draw is enough for Liverpool to qualify for the knockout stages. Nevertheless, Van Dijk hopes for an offensive and confident Liverpool. “We don’t come here for a point or to defend: we want to leave here feeling good and carry on. We know how difficult it will be, but they know that too.”

Van Dijk hopes the away game against Ajax will be a turning point. “We want to get better, also in the games, and that starts on Wednesday. We have to show that we are Liverpool, one of the biggest clubs in the world.”